A. Gray
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.159343
Element CodePDSOL0S0D4
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderSolanales
FamilySolanaceae
GenusPhysalis
SynonymsPhysalis hederifolia var. fendleri(Gray) Cronq.
Other Common NamesFendler's groundcherry (EN) Fendler's Ground-cherry (EN)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Taxonomic CommentsSullivan's treatment in FNA (2023, vol. 14) recognizes Physalis fendleri as a species, distinct from P. hederifolia (where some treatments, such as Kartesz (1994, 1999) place it as a variety), saying all other previously recognized varieties of P. hederifolia "are clearly distinguishable from P. fendleri, which is eglandular, typically has forked or few-branched hairs, a distinctive leaf shape, and corollas with greenish-brownish smudges rather than distinct brown spots."
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-10-07
Change Date2025-10-07
Edition Date2025-10-07
Edition AuthorsSoteropoulos (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 - 300
Rank ReasonsPhysalis fendleri is a wide-ranging perennial herb found in rocky to sandy soil, loose slopes, and pinyon-juniper-ponderosa zones. It occurs in south-central and southwestern North America from southern Colorado, western Oklahoma, and western Texas, west to southern California in the United States, and south to Baja California, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas in Mexico. There are over 150 estimated occurrences rangewide. Little is known about threats or trends, but with a large range extent and large number of occurrences, abundant habitat, and broad habitat preferences, this species is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsPhysalis fendleri occurs in south-central and southwestern North America from southern Colorado, western Oklahoma, and western Texas, west to southern California in the United States and south to Baja California, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas in Mexico (FNA 2023). Range extent was estimated to be over 1.4 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1984 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are over 150 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, this species is potentially threatened by development, rights-of-way maintenance, invasive species, and other threats in some places. However, their overall impact is likely negligible given the species' broad range and large number of occurrences.